TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan convened for inter-ministerial political consultations hosted by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both nations emphasized the necessity of establishing industrial and trade zones in their border territories.
Led by Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Rakhmatulla Nurimbetov and Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Sodiq Imomi, the delegations from both countries engaged in discussions regarding the current state of bilateral relations and explored prospects for cooperation within international organizations.
A focal point of the deliberations centered on trade and economic collaboration, fostering interregional ties, and enhancing industrial cooperation. Both parties underscored the importance of modernizing border points to facilitate streamlined movement of goods and people across their shared border.
Furthermore, representatives from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan deliberated on enhancing the legal framework governing bilateral relations and outlined a schedule for forthcoming events at various levels. The participants also exchanged perspectives on regional and international agenda items of mutual interest.
In a related development, Tajikistan’s Committee for Tourism Development reported a notable increase in Uzbek tourist arrivals, reaching 806,000 in 2023. This marked a 15 percent year-on-year rise in tourist traffic from Uzbekistan, reflecting the growing people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.